Preview: Washington at Connecticut

December 29, 2012|Reuters

Connecticut and Washington do not share a lot of common history, but perhaps it is appropriate for two teams that bear a striking resemblance to each other on the court to conclude their non-conference schedules against one another on Saturday in Hartford. Connecticut has yet to play a true road game this season and is led by the explosive three-guard attack of Ryan Boatright, Shabazz Napier and freshman Omar Calhoun â a trio that accounts for 61.2 percent of the teamâs points. The three have been very productive during the teamâs three-game winning streak. Washington has won four straight and will only be playing its second true road game of the season, although it did travel to Connecticut once already this season for the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament. Washingtonâs three-guard attack of C.J. Wilcox, Scott Suggs and Abdul Gaddy accounts for 59.4 percent of the teamâs offense.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2

ABOUT WASHINGTON (8-4): Wilcox (19.6 points) has diversified his game after serving as a 3-point specialist in his first two seasons. The third-leading scorer in the Pac-12 entered the year attempting 61 percent of his shots beyond the arc, but has trimmed that number to 44 percent this season. He has also watched his overall field-goal percentage increase from 43.7 to 48.6 percent. However, Washington is struggling on the boards after finishing among the top two in the conference in each of the past eight seasons, ranking 10th in the league with 36.2 â its lowest average since 2004.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (9-2): Connecticut scored 21 points off 13 first-half turnovers en route to a 57-28 halftime advantage in last Fridayâs 88-73 win over Fordham. The star trio combined for 62 points - highlighted by a career-high 26 from Boatright, who is the only player in the Big East who ranks in the top 10 in both points (tied-10th) and assists (ninth); Napier (16.8, 3.7) is eighth and 14th, respectively. Calhoun collected his first conference Rookie of the Week award last week after averaging 19.5 points in the teamâs two victories.

TIP-INS

1. Connecticut has won each of the previous three meetings, with two of the matchups occurring in the NCAA Tournament.

2. Washington is 2-12 playing in the Eastern Time zone since 2003, with one of those victories coming against Seton Hall in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament in November.

3. Connecticut is 3-0 in the XL Center this season and 228-83 all-time at the venue.